Students will participate in reading, critical thinking, paper writing, exercises, discussion on this important subject matter and paradigm of the aging experience.
It is often the case of other and self. We see self as “normal” and other as “different/wrong.” As a professional, minister, missionary or volunteer in almost any employment, denomination position, missional country or service our responsibility is to be concerned for the personhood and well-being of the other. Exposure to and understanding of the roots of other enables self to become compassionate and focus on the commonalities of the human condition, particularly in aging.
As students are exposed to more and more people and situations individuals with an open spirit will be transformed through the experiences.
Love one another as I have loved you. The Bible stresses relationship and compassion over judgement.
In order to prepare individuals of multiple races, cultures and ages, regardless of profession, denomination, organization, multicultural awareness and savvy is imperative.
Multiculturalism is the context (in this instance) on which the aging process is overlayed.
There are differences between and among cultures
focusing on the commonalities while accepting and embracing differences provides for a richness.
As someone with tools for effectively working with diverse aging population, there is more flexibility and creativity available in moving towards mutually agreed upon goals.